Barberton: Former police officer Lucky Sandile Maduna (37) has been sentenced to life imprisonment and additional 10 years by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court for the murder of his wife Nonkululeko Mtsweni (27), and the attempted murder of her friend.
The court heard that the accused and the deceased were in a domestic relationship. On 3 October 2023, the accused, the deceased and her friend were at Zethu Bar Lounge, in Barberton celebrating a colleague’s birthday. The group consumed alcohol throughout the evening.
The following morning, the accused instructed the deceased to return home with him, when she refused an argument ensued. The altercation escalated and became physical. The accused took a beer bottle that was in his possession and repeatedly struck the deceased in the face until the bottle broke. He then continued assaulting her, inflicting severe injuries from which she later succumbed.
during the court proceedings, the accused pleaded guilty in terms of section 112 of the criminal procedure Act and admitted that his conduct was unlawful and punishable by law.
Advocate Phatudi further informed the court that the accused had been reprimanded for his abusive behaviour towards the deceased two weeks before the incident. As a result of hi conduct, the deceased had already been moved from their residence for her safety.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence.
